DESPITE a thaw along parts of the east coast yesterday, the big freeze will continue into next week.

Today and tomorrow will see the worst of the bitterly cold Arctic weather, with temperatures likely to fall to as low as minus-10C, Met Eireann said.

Snow will remain in the midlands, and while there will be further snow showers, many areas will be dry and clear.

Weather forecaster Evelyn Cusack said yesterday's thaw would not last.

"Colder air will move across Ireland and we do expect a resumption of very cold conditions," she said. "We don't expect the slush to freeze, but on Wednesday (today) and Thursday, most of the country will be very bad with temperatures falling as low as minus-10C.

"High pressure will lead to severe frost. The snow won't melt in the midlands but will on the east coast. There's a high danger on Wednesday night and Thursday morning of freezing fog. We don't expect a huge amount of snow, but the wind will be gone and temperatures will fall."

Hail, sleet and snow showers will hit east Leinster and east Munster, with an ongoing risk of thunderstorms in coastal areas. It will be brighter elsewhere with sunny spells and a few snow flurries, but overnight frost, ice and any fog may persist in places.

Northeasterly winds will be moderate to fresh, and temperatures are unlikely to rise above 3C. Tonight will be bitterly cold with severe frost and temperatures falling between minus-3C and minus-10C.

Freezing fog will be slow to lift tomorrow and could persist. Most places will be dry, with the odd snow shower.